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BLOG: Eakins sees Lander as different player

by
Chris Wescott
/ Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers forward Anton Lander has had a remarkable and potentially unexpected season in the American Hockey League with Oklahoma City. Named OKC’s captain, Lander has 48 points (18-30-48) in 43 games with the Barons this season.

That point production hasn’t translated to the NHL yet, mostly because Lander has been placed in a different role during his time in the NHL. With injuries to the Oilers lineup, Lander has been given more opportunities to play more minutes with more skilled players and he’s shown more confidence as a result.

“I think he looks like a different player because he’s playing with different players,” Oilers Head Coach Dallas Eakins said. “When he’s been up before, he’s usually played that fourth-line role and we wanted to see how he could handle playing with maybe a different group of guys. I think he’s played fine. He certainly looks like he has more confidence than he had earlier in the season.”

The Oilers are hoping the former 40th overall pick in 2009 continues to develop moving forward. Lander turns 23 in April.